OMSI - natural history collectionhttps://www.omsi.edu/taxonomy/term/243
enAgate to Opal: Gems of the Northwesthttps://www.omsi.edu/blog/agate-to-opal
<p>OMSI has been a hands-on science museum from the beginning, but it may surprise some people that we also feature collections! In fact OMSI houses over 30,000 pieces including natural history, ethnographic and historical objects. We also partner with other museums and institutions to bring their collections to the public.</p>
<p>Right now, curious visitors will find a small but diverse collection of minerals from the <a href="http://www.ricenorthwestmuseum.org" target="_blank">Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals</a> on display in the Planetarium Hallway. Every jasper, opal or garnet you see was found in Oregon, or in a neighboring northwest state or province (some specimens are from British Columbia).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/images/Blog/blog_AgateVarPlume.jpg" width="400" height="300" /><br />Agate forms in volcanic rocks, and typically appears transluscent with brightly colored bands of fine-grained minerals. This transluscent quality is whats sets it apart from Jasper.<br /><img src="http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/images/Blog/blog_Calcite.jpg" width="400" height="300" /><br />As a carbonate mineral, calcite will dissolve in acid. This unique property is the reason the powdered form of Calcite is often found in health products like vitamins. <br /><img src="http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/images/Blog/blog_Epidote.jpg" width="400" height="300" /><br />Epidote forms in other minerals, most often Marble. A high iron content will give it a dark green color, but Epidote is most often found in a shade of pistachio green.<br /><img src="http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/images/Blog/blog_MetaAutinite.jpg" width="400" height="300" /> <br />The rare Meta-autinite appears flourescent green. The mineral's high uranium content makes it valueable but also dangerous as a potentially radioactive material. Handle with care! <br /><img src="http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/images/Blog/blog_Natrolite.jpg" width="400" height="300" /><br />Hydrated sodium and aluminum create the mineral Natrolite, which is known for its long, slender crystal structures.<br /><img src="http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/images/Blog/blog_Opal.jpg" width="400" height="300" /><br />Opal forms at low temperatures in many different types of rock throughout the natural world. It has a significantly high water content for a mineral - almost a quarter.<br /><img src="http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/images/Blog/blog_Pyrite.jpg" width="400" height="300" /><br />Pyrite is a common iron sulfide. This mineral's characteristic metallic hue led to it's nickname of "Fool's Gold". You may have collected this one as a kid.<br /><img src="http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/images/Blog/blog_Quartz.jpg" width="400" height="300" /><br />A common and abundant mineral, Quartz has been used throughout history in the making of jewelry and gemstones.<br /><img src="http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/images/Blog/blog_Thunderegg.jpg" width="400" height="300" /> <br />Thundereggs may look like ordinary rocks on the outside, but contain minerals like agate, jasper, or opal in their centers. Oregon has the higest concentration of naturally occuring thundereggs in the United States!<br /><br />Want to see more? Amateur geologists and other fans can visit <a href="http://www.ricenorthwestmuseum.org">Rice Museum</a> in Hilsboro to view an extensive collection of rocks, minerals, and gemstones. OMSI will also be hosting our annual <a href="http://www.omsi.edu/node/6050">Agate &amp; Mineral Show</a> on Friday, February 8th in the auditorium. </p><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Tags: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/239" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Agate &amp; Mineral Show</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-1" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/126" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Geology</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-2" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/240" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Pacific Northwest rocks</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-3" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/241" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">gemstones</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-4" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/242" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Rice Museum</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-5" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/243" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">natural history collection</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Categories: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/taxonomy/term/28" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">For Everyone</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-1"><a href="/taxonomy/term/15" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Events</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-2"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Exhibits</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-3"><a href="/taxonomy/term/121" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Curator Curiosities</a></li></ul></div>Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:01:40 +0000Lori E6489 at https://www.omsi.eduhttps://www.omsi.edu/blog/agate-to-opal#comments